UAE Military Places Order for Unmanned Piaggio HammerHeads

The Piaggio P.1HH HammerHead unmanned aircraft is shown on its maiden flight in December 2014. (Photo: Piaggio Aerospace)

The UAE military said it has signed a $346 million contract to acquire eight Piaggio P.1HH HammerHead unmanned aircraft. The general headquarters of the UAE Armed Forces made the announcement on March 8, during the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi.

The military signed the contract with Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments (ADASI), whose chairman, Homaid Al Shemmari, is a principal of the government-owned Mubadala Development Co. Since September, Mubadala has owned 100 percent of Piaggio Aerospace, which is based at Villanova d’Albenga, Italy, southwest of Genoa.

All of the aircraft the UAE Armed Forces plans to acquire will be equipped with electro-optical/infrared sensors, radar and advanced communications systems, according to the announcement. The contract also provides for training and logistics support.

“This important contract recognizes Piaggio Aerospace’s efforts in establishing a world-class military program and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities that position the business for long-term sustainable success,” Piaggio CEO Carlo Logli said in a statement accompanying the announcement.